Marcus aurelius essay. Marcus Aurelius Essay – Free Examples for Every Occasion 2022-10-07

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman philosopher and emperor who is best known for his philosophical writings, particularly his work "Meditations." This book is a series of personal reflections and philosophical musings that offer insights into Aurelius' thoughts on a variety of subjects, including ethics, personal responsibility, and the nature of the universe.

Aurelius was born in Rome in 121 AD and was the son of a Roman nobleman. He received a thorough education in literature, philosophy, and rhetoric, and was exposed to the works of many of the great philosophers of the time. As a young man, he became interested in Stoicism, a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life and being in control of one's emotions.

Aurelius became a devoted student of Stoicism and was heavily influenced by the teachings of the philosopher Epictetus. He believed that true happiness and contentment could be found through living a life of virtue and by accepting the things that one could not change. This idea is reflected in his famous quote, "The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury."

In addition to his philosophical beliefs, Aurelius was also a military leader and statesman. He served as a general in the Roman army and later became the emperor of Rome. Despite the demands of his political and military duties, Aurelius found time to reflect on his own thoughts and beliefs, and he recorded these reflections in "Meditations."

In "Meditations," Aurelius offers a series of philosophical musings on a variety of subjects, including the nature of the universe, the importance of personal responsibility, and the role of reason in our lives. He believed that the key to living a fulfilling life was to cultivate virtue and to focus on the things that were within one's control. He also emphasized the importance of living in the present moment and not becoming too attached to the past or the future.

Aurelius' philosophy has had a lasting impact on Western thought and has influenced many other philosophers, including Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Nietzsche. His ideas about the importance of virtue and personal responsibility continue to be relevant today, and his work "Meditations" remains an important and influential work of philosophy.